Sparrow Lounge 0-2yrs approx.

 The Sparrow Lounge caters for a maximum of 14 children with four teachers, ensuring children are giving quality care and education where the child's cues lead our approach. The philosophy in listening to the child and creating a nurturing environment strongly supports the value we place on creating close relationships with the child and their family.  Three permanent teacher's support the lounge with a teaching ratio of 1:4 for toddlers & 1:3 infants.

Primary Caregiving

Weka believes in providing your precious child the opportunity to feel happiness, belonging and love.  For this to be achieved effectively a relationship needs to be formed where trust, value and respect is three way.  Weka assigns a specfic teacher/kaiako to embrace all the care and key moments to nurture your child and your family needs, ensuring we are working in partnership with a shared understanding.  The kaiako within the lounge works in partnership ensuring a secondary kaiako is also strongly connected - ensuring overall security

Free Movement

The Weka environment supports a practice where children can have the freedom to explore, freedom to play, freedom to move and the freedom to make choices. In our environment we respect the child's body by not putting them in positions they can't get into themselves. This allows the child agility and balance to naturally develop in their own time, ensuring they develop as they are mentally and physically able.

Peaceful Messages of Care & Nature

The wisdom of Nature and Nurture work hand in hand, allowing the children to venture into the natural world through materials that are real and open ended.  The wonder of loose parts and exploring through senses - touch, smell, sight, hearing and taste gives opportunity for the child to unfold their play and discoveries through materials that offer opportunity for the unknown. The love of outdoor education is supported daily with the philosophy 'there is no such thing as bad weather - just bad clothing'.

Unhurried Approaches

​Unhurried interactions and care moments are something we strive for here in the Sparrow Lounge.  Supporting tamariki to feel valued and included in making decisions regarding their well-being and learning. Ensuring we are ‘in the moment’ with children throughout our interactions is an aspect of our practice we value and cherish.  This is evident within our care moments such as nappy changes, bottles, moe (sleep) times, and kai times. Working to the cues of the child and always offering invitiation by sensitiviely observing children's ways of learning and providing predictable and consistent routines.

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